User Reviews

Rita Moreno makes her second appearance on the series as Rita Capkovic, the hooker with the heart of gold. This time Rita is doing business when her "client" is taken out by mobsters. Rita sees who does it, and they know she's seen them. So naturally Rita turns to Jim for help and protection. Not a big fan of the Rita Capkovic character (I liked Ms. Moreno much better as her "Hey, you guys!" character on "The Electric Company") but this is a pretty good episode, enlivened by the appearance of "Godfather"/"Barney Miller" veteran Abe Vigoda, who puts in a fine performance as a mob boss, kind of a flip side to Rocky's lovable character.

Rita Moreno makes her second Rockford Files appearance in this story where she witnesses a murder personally ordered by a Mafia boss right there at the scene. Then the cops arrest her for the deed.

Given her background as a working girl the police just figure it's an easy closing. But when you got a friend like Jim Rockford her arrest ain't the last word on the subject.

I do so love the way all the working girls demonstrate at the police station and manage to raise Moreno's bail. It was not a good day at Dennis Becker's precinct.

The Mafia Godfather is Abe Vigoda who certainly has the acting credentials for that role having been Don Tessio in The Godfather. The victim was an orthopedic surgeon and there's another surgeon played by Robert Loggia and a medical supply salesman played by Robin Gammell who also are in fear with good reason.

All I can say is that if these people had wronged an ordinary citizen we would seek recourse one way. But with Abe Vigoda's crowd they have their own recourse.

And Rita Moreno as the bubbly and bouncy and never more so when she's fearful Rita Capkovic this episode is special.

I don't know whether it was Universal with all the pull but week after week the guest stars on Rockford Files were amazing.

This week we get the smokin' hot (and still going as of this writing) Rita Moreno as the high-class call girl caught up in a murder wrap. Robert Loggia is one of the surgeons on a high-profile case. Abe Vigoda is the mob boss whose hip replacement surgery went terribly wrong. He wants to wack everyone who was in that operating room.

It sounds grim. But this is The Rockford Files. Where James Garner's unparalleled charm plus the writing room's ability not to scare middle America can sell any plot.

Moreno is the deservedly decorated actress of Broadway, television and movies. Loggia is an under-rated character actor who could sell just about any role. But the revelation is Vigoda, who many people remember as the befuddled Fish on Barney Miller or, for you kids out there, as Conan O'Brien's latenight comedy foil. But just as Vigoda darn near steals The Godfather with his sympathetic and doomed Tessio, he swoops in and steals this episode of Rockford, too. The man had range.

If that weren't enough we get some excellent stunt driving, with Rockford pulling a classic 180 in the Firechicken to get away from a couple of hitmen before leading them on a high-speed chase through the streets and ending with a slick move to pull into a used car dealership and come to a halt while the thugs drive by. Sweet, sweet, driving.

This episode has a different spin, although Rockford is once again reunited with Rita Capkovic, a sympathetic prostitute, assuming there is such a thing. Guest stars Abe Vigoda, Rita Moreno, and Robert Loggia really add an element to this show about a mob boss(Vigoda)who undergoes an unsuccessful hip operation, and he's mad as hell about it, as he's stuck in a wheelchair; Vigoda is great here as he berates everyone, and has Dr. Rosendahl killed because he's the primary surgeon, even though a non-surgeon who specializes in this particular operation, puts the actual part inside of Phil's body. A great scene is when we get to see the operation inside the police station on tape, and how the doctors botched the surgery; watch for Vigoda's head about to explode when he finds out a salesman performed the operation and incriminates himself by saying he should have all of them killed, right in front of Dennis! Rita enlisted Rockford's help when she was arrested for the murder because she was last seen with the murdered man, and there's another interesting scene when many prostitutes protest her arrest. Garner and Moreno are very professional and have nice chemistry together, as she was also in 2 other episodes as the same character. Look for a quick appearance from Jason Wingreen(All in the Family)as Rita's public defender, and watch for the Firebid, Rocky, and I almost forgot a few scenes with the solid Loggia as one of the doctors in the operating room. The title of the episode is underwhelming, as Gilda Stern is a deceased, unseen figure, but overall is a very good episode with Vigoda the brightest aspect here.

The Rockford Files is 70s nostalgia and I love it! Here there's a galaxy of guest stars: Rita Moreno, Abe Vigoda and Robert Loggia, all from America's diverse ethnic background. This is the start of the 5th season of The Rockford Files, and sadly it didn't continue beyond the 6th.

In my opinion,the actual story here seems rather unlikely,but in the big city,over the course of a few years,who knows?

A notable aspect of this episode is the natural,easy-going chemistry that seems to go-on amongst and between the entire cast. (You almost feel like you are hanging out with a group of old friends!) Some highlights include... *The obnoxious 'Rita Capcovic' character is played to a 'T' by the talented Rita Moreno,her character actually grows on you throughout the episode.

*The episode has many humorous aspects despite the grim topics.

* The story keeps moving,ie there is not a lot of dead-time here.

* The entire cast works very well together,and they really seem to be enjoying themselves. This gives a very natural vibe to the whole episode.

Is this one of the very best Rockford Files episodes? Probably not quite.

Then again,it is an entertaining and enjoyable watch,I liked it.

Watch it with no expectations and see what YOU think,and please tell us! 🌞

Great episode of a great series! I mean, if someone botched MY hip operation (and covered it up), I would want them "whacked" -- wouldn't you?! After the "shark-jumping" finale of season five, this is a breath of fresh air! Twists & turns at... um.. every turn! And soaked in seventies goodness! Rita Moreno is less than believable as a California "escort" (because she is FUGLY) but other than that, this installation is solid.

Well I need 158 more characters to count as a valid review (in IMDB's eyes)... Good car chase or two (including one signature "Rockford J-turn") and now only 25 more letters.... We're there!!!!!!!